06/08/2004 4:17 PM - JOLIET, IL – The Joliet JacklHammers (8-10) defeated the Kansas City T-Bones (5-14) 7-to-3 in front of 3,436 on Tuesday night at Silver Cross Field. The JackHammers have won three straight while the T-Bones have lost three straight. The JackHammers have cranked out 41 runs on 56 hits in their last four games. The JackHammers are vying for a four-game sweep in a Wednesday afternoon game at Silver Cross Field.

The T-Bones took an early lead in the top of the 1st inning. The T-Bones began the game with four consecutive singles and the fourth being a 2-RBI single to Eddie Pearson (2-for-4). The next batter, Ray Brown (1-for-2), connected for a sacrifice fly ball to deep center field. Pearson and Brown both have 15 RBI on the season. The T-Bones led 3-to-0.

In the bottom of the 2nd inning, Corey Paul (0-for-1) led off with a walk and advanced to third base on Jeff Goldbach’s (1-for-4) 4th double of the season. One out later, Rickie Morton (4-for-4) grounded a sharp single to center field, and the JackHammers trailed 3-to-2. Morton has collected nine RBI on the season.

The JackHammers tacked on two more in the bottom of the 4th inning to erase the 3-to-2 deficit and take a 4-to-3 lead. Jason Kinchen (0-for-3) led off with a walk and moved to third base on Morton’s 2nd double of the season that went off the base of the wall in left field. Gabby Delgado’s (0-for-3) ground out to the second baseman brought in the tying run. Then, Dan Firlit’s (2-for-4) single to center field brought in the go ahead run, his 3rd RBI of the season.

Morton recorded his second double of the game when he led off the bottom of the 6th inning with a two-bagger down the left field line. One out later Firlit connected for his second RBI single of the day. Later in the inning after Firlit stole second base, John Lackaff (2-for-4) lined a RBI single to right field for a 6-to-3 JackHammers lead. T-Bones starting RHP Jonathan Krysa (1-4) worked 6.1 innings and endured the loss. He allowed six runs (all earned) on 11 hits. He walked four batters, hit one batter and struck out seven.

JackHammers starting RHP Steve Hecker (1-2) pitched seven complete innings for the win. He allowed three runs (all earned) on eight hits. Hecker walked two and struck out four.

Morton enhanced the JackHammers lead with his 3rd home run of the season and 10th RBI of the season onto the Coldwell Banker Honig-Bell Picnic Area tent in left-center field. The JackHammers led 7-to-3. Morton’s 4-for-4 day included a home run, two doubles, a single, three RBI and three runs scored. Rickie will be leaving for Germany for the Northern League’s Goodwill Tour which will last from June 9-15.

On Wednesday, the JackHammers conclude their eight-game home stand with a Business Person Special – a 2:05 pm start. RHP Erik Grunwald (1-1, 4.91) will start for the T-Bones, and RHP Nathan Kent (0-2, 3.18) will start for the JackHammers.